It was 6:30 when I called out into a huge field and had a response from a gobbler. I quickly set out my decoys and set up on a tree line at the edge of the field. I called again and here he comes from 200 yards away. Unfortunately it was a Jake so while he came right into the decoys and was 15 yards away, he got a lease on life. He moved off and after 10 minutes I called again.The same jake gobbled to my right and came back in for another look at the sexy hen he heard. Pass #2.
Meanwhile, I could hear 2 other birds gobbling in the distance, and soon one was closing the gap. At 300 yards I could finally see this other bird coming. He was in full strut and was roaring out gobbles to my every call. I let him keep coming and once I knew he saw the dekes I didn't make another peep.
He kept coming and strutted right into the kill zone and at 20 yards he lifted his head and my trusty old 11-87 sent a load of #5 shot and put him down. It was a perfect set up and a fine bird. About 20 lbs, 1" spurs and a 10" beard.